Enjoying the Grenadines
Simanderal
Michael Hughes and Ger White
Fri 19 Dec 2008 12:34
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We've been enjoying a relaxed time in the
Grenadines for the last couple of weeks--albeit with a bit of windward work on
short sails and a couple of rather rolly anchorages!
We sailed, plus Tanja and Simon, from Grenada to
Carriacou on 5th December--nice to be back in Tyrrell Bay--albeit the floating
bar didn't open until after we had left.
We shot up to the Tobago Cays on the 7th--we were
only there for about 3 hours before heading back to Tyrrell Bay, but had a nice
lunch and Simon & Tanja swam with the turtles as we had done last
April.
Then on 8th, we spent some time anchored off Sandy
Island and spent the night off Hillsborough, so Simon & Tanja could catch
the 0600 ferry back to Grenada on the 9th. It was a rolly night! Ger & I
then cleared out of Grenada and sailed to Union Island to clear into St
Vincent/Grenadines.
Bit of a drama coming in to the anchorage at
Clifton--which is surrounded by reefs. We picked up a very thick rope round the
prop--engine stalled--and when we tried to drop anchor to avoid drifting we
found the fuse had gone! Must have happened when we raised anchor in
Hillsborough. So I hailed a couple of boat boys in a boat with a powerful
outboard, they towed us onto a mooring, and one of them dived down to clear the
rope. Cost us a bit, but I guess experience doesn't come cheap! I dived down
later to see if any damage to prop etc, but all is fine.
We only spent one night on Union Island, then
headed up to Mayreau--which we had not visited before and everyone said we must!
Anchored in Salt Whistle Bay--idyllic bay with lovely crescent beach,
couple of restaurant/bars, palm trees--anchorage a bit rolly as a lot of north
in swell--but not too bad. A simple, pretty unspoiled island--walked up to
village on 11th--steep hills--and across to Saline Bay--then a nice lobster
lunch in the Island Paradise restaurant--and a steep walk back
again.
On 12th, a short sail to Canouan--visited
Majella--she was ther, but not open for the season yet--she had a drink with us
anyway.
And on 13th we spoiled ourselves rotten by taking
'day passes' to the Raffles Resort in the north of the island--including lunch,
pools and an electric cart to drive round the resort. Quite quiet--apparently a
lot of cancellations by Americans--I think these high end resorts will
suffer!
And then on 14th, 4 long tacks to
Mustique--familiar territory. Spent 3 nights there--albeit a bit rolly--bit of
walking to Cotton House--where we had lunch. Also to Macaroni Bay which we
didn't walk to on last visit--a very beautiful beach on the windward side. Ger
met a couple of celebrities who are no longer meant to be a couple--can't
mention names as might not be allowed back on the island!!??
And then on 17th, a short, fast sail to
Bequia--onto a mooring off the Gingerbread--whose wifi we can pick up on the
boat! And we stay here until the New Year. Went to a quiz night at the Salty Dog
on 17th, then the BBQ evening at the Frangipani yesterday evening--pan band and
all.
And this morning it's raining--tho I think it's
beginning to clear--hopefully most of the salt is washed off!
All for now!!
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